Astros keep changing but Wesley Wright sticks around

Wesley Wright still recalls Doug Brocail’s blunt words. Wright was a 23-year-old unproven rookie in 2008. He deferred to big-name veteran relievers such as Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins on an Astros team that went 86-75 and marked the final high poin

Astros DH Carlos Pena turns to 70-year-old father for hitting advice

Most MLB players turn to single-minded training gurus once the the winter months begin. Carlos Pena intentionally went in the opposite direction. The Astros’ new designated hitter reunited with his 70-year-old father, Felipe Pena, picking up a routine t

Astros not in active talks with Daisuke Matsuzaka

The Astros are not involved in active discussions with free agent starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. The six-year veteran was linked to Houston and the New York Mets on Sunday. The Astros briefly explored the idea of pursuing Matsuzaka during the offse…

Sports Columnists

Don Banks: Elite or not, Flacco now stands alone; more Snaps

Feb 3

NEW ORLEANS -- Musings, observations and the occasional insight from a most eventful and entertaining Super Bowl XLVII in the Superdome, a 34-31 Baltimore victory over San Francisco in the kind of knock-down, drag-out battle that brothers always seem to…

Super Bowl XLVII -- Ravens-49ers won't soon be forgotten

Feb 3

From a blackout to the 49ers' rally to Ray Lewis' last stand, it was a lights-out Super Bowl, writes John Clayton.